An aqueous extract from Abutilon trisulcatum, a shrub from the Malvaceae family was investigated. Chemical analysis of the extract identified the presence of choline, a compound that has therapeutic potential for use in the treatment of memory disorders. This potential use of Abutilon trisulcatum for the improvement of short-term memory was examined in white Sprague-dawley rats. These rats were treated intraperitoneally with an aqueous extract of Albutilon trisulcatum (20 mg/100 g body weight) for 14 days. Rats in the control group were given a vehicle (water) and a third group was given choline chloride (20 mg/100g body weight). After 14 days of continuous administration, short-term memory was examined using passive avoidance training. In this experimental protocol, rats were individually placed in a T-maze where they were allowed to select between a dark arm and a white arm. Rats from all three groups showed a preference for the dark arm on first entry (pre-acquisition performance). Ten minutes after the first trial, the rats were allowed to explore the maze again; however entry into the dark arm resulted in application of an aversive foot shock. Twenty-four hours after this learning procedure, each rat was then returned to the T-maze to examine changes in behaviour (retention performance). Rats treated with choline chloride and Abutilon trisulcatum avoided the aversive foot shock by not entering the dark arm. This change in behaviour indicates that there was retention of the memory of the aversive stimulus associated with entry into the dark arm. No such retention of memory was demonstrated by the control group of rats, which entered the dark arm despite the application of an aversive foot shock. From these results, it can be concluded that at least one compound present in Abutilon trisulcatum extract has the potential to improve short-term memory; this compound may be choline, which is present in the plant.....read more